Greater access to disability services in SA

2014-01-31

South Australians living with disability have greater access to services than any other State or Territory, new figures from the Productivity Commission have revealed.

Minister for Disabilities Tony Piccolo said the annual Report on Government Services 2014 shows South Australia provided services to a higher proportion of people living with disability than any other state or territory in the nation.

Mr Piccolo said that, in addition, South Australia continues to have the second-lowest level of spending on administration, as a proportion of the total spend on disability.

"These figures highlight our ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life for people living with disability in South Australia," Mr Piccolo said.

"The fact that we're continuing to spend less on administration than most other states and territories shows that the funding we provide to this important area goes where it's needed most – to the client, and to services that support them."

Mr Piccolo said access to disability services would continue to expand as South Australia progressed towards the full implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

"We remain committed to ensuring people living with disability can lead rich, fulfilling lives – and the National Disability Insurance Scheme is the cornerstone of that philosophy," he said.

"Already, the NDIS is starting to make a significant difference in the lives of young South Australians living with disability.

"And, as we progress towards the full implementation of the Scheme, we will see more and more people living with disability receive the services they need to lead rich, fulfilling lives.

"We have already strengthened our investment in the sector, with more than half a billion dollars allocated to disability services this financial year.

"That investment will continue to grow, with $723 million allocated to disability services in 2018-19 to coincide with the full implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme."